In testimony at the Phoenix Sinclair inquiry this week, the former social worker insisted she might have had more contact but not written it down. Her supervisors have testified it was standard social-work practice to note all contact.

Chief-Abigosis's shoddy note-taking was exacerbated by her lack of memory. She answered "I can't recall" 14 times in a 25-minute exchange with a lawyer.

Under questioning from commission counsel Derek Olson, Chief-Abigosis drew a blank on even minor matters.

Is there a reason why supervisor Lorna Hanson would have signed Samantha Kematch's closing file summary in your place, Olson asked.

"I can't recall."

"It's dated Aug. 16," he prompted. "Were you still at the agency?"

"I can't recall the exact date I left the agency," she replied.

(For the record, Chief-Abigosis left the agency in July 2001.)

In another exchange, Olson questioned Chief-Abigosis about her involvement with the family after Echo, Phoenix's younger sister, died.

If you attended the funeral, Olson asked, when after that did you stop actively working on files?

"I can't recall."

After the funeral, did you offer services to Sinclair, Olson asked.

"I can't recall."

"Were you still involved with the family after funeral?" he asked.

She was on paper duty. She said she remembered attending Echo's funeral. Does that help you remember when you resigned, Olson asked.

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